There's musical fun in Walnut's Plaid Tidings'

PHILADELPHIA — Walnut Street Theatre’s 2012-2013 Independence Studio on 3 season opens with a mix of classic Holiday songs and fun 1950’s tunes in “Plaid Tidings,” just in time for the holidays. Directed by Larry Raben, this toe-tapping production opens tonight and continues through Dec. 30 in the Walnut’s Independence Studio on 3.

Everyone’s favorite boy group Forever Plaid returns to the Walnut with “Plaid Tidings.” Frankie, Sparky, Jinx and Smudge once stood on the Walnut’s Studio 3 stage and wove the magic of the ’50s and ’60s into the hearts of many with their delightful harmonies and refreshing humor. The Forever Plaid production was so popular, after it closed the 2001-2002 Studio 3 season, it returned for a second engagement in the Fall of 2002. This year, in “Plaid Tidings,” Rosemary Clooney has encouraged the boys to return to Earth to make things right in the world. With 1950s favorites including “Strangers in Paradise” and “Mambo Italiano” and holiday gems like “Let It Snow” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” the boys are back to celebrate the holidays in Plaid style.

After the success of playwright Stuart Ross’ “Forever Plaid,” he was approached to write a sequel production. For a decade he resisted believing sequels should only be written for films. His outlook changed after the events of 9/11 when the world needed some joy and simple happiness. Ross wrote the holiday edition of Forever Plaid, “Plaid Tidings,” which premiered at the Pasadena Playhouse in 2002 and has since been enjoyed by a national audience.

Larry Raben makes his Walnut directorial debut with “Plaid Tidings.” Raben has a history with Stuart Ross’ work, having performed as Sparky in the original productions of both “Forever Plaid” and “Plaid Tidings.” He reunited with Ross for the film version of “Forever Plaid” in 2008. Raben directed “Hairspray” and “The Wedding Singer” at The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center in California, “Falling for Eve” at The York Theatre Company and “Sunset Boulevard” at The Gateway Playhouse, which he also choreographed. Joining Raben is Music and Vocal Director David Jenkins. Jenkins is familiar to the Walnut’s intimate theatre having served as musical and vocal director for last season’s popular production Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “A Grand Night for Singing.”

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The Walnut’s heavenly boy band will be brought to life with the comedic, spirited and vocal talents of four Philadelphia crooners including Christopher deProphetis (Francis), Ben Michaels (Smudge), Greg Nix (Jinx) and Michael Philip O’Brien (Sparky). Michaels returns to the Walnut where he was last seen in “Miss Saigon.” Nix joins the cast having recently performed on the Walnut’s stage in “Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story.” Audiences enjoyed O’Brien’s performance last season in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “A Grand Night for Singing.” deProphetis makes his Walnut debut after touring nationally and internationally with productions including “South Pacific,” “Miss Saigon” and “Rent.”

Season sponsor for the 2012-2013 Independence Studio on 3 Season is The Independence Foundation. Media season sponsors are Philadelphia Weekly and WRTI Radio. Tickets are $35 - $45 and are now available at 215-574-3550 or 215-336-1234. Tickets are also available at WalnutStreetTheatre.org or Ticketmaster.com.